Benefits of membership

from Paul Blom

Why join the City of Westminster Guide Lecturers Association? (or how to walk, talk and
occasionally impress groups of strangers on the streets of Westminster). Well we are a rather
delightful group…….part historian, part storyteller and part traffic-dodger. United by a shared
enthusiasm for a unique and very famous part of London with an ability to make it come alive
for both visitors and seasoned Londoners who thought they had seen it all! For those potential
candidates…..well yes there is some learning involved. For newly joining having passed the
Westminster Guiding course, firstly congratulations! Welcome, you have made an excellent
decision!

We are a community of like-minded people. If you join you experience the camaraderie of fellow
guides from swapping stories (gently debating whether your favourite anecdote is technically
accurate), comparing walking routes and sharing ideas to enjoying continuing professional
development opportunities the Association offers. We have had some excellent presentations
at the usually monthly speaker meetings. I personally have learnt so much from these experts
who can be fascinating. The Association has also put on workshops which have had some
excellent content, in particular the recent series on digital media training which, for me a
complete technophobe, gave some great insights and pearls of wisdom on how to promote your
own walks online. Given by fellow guides, they all talk from personal experience with some
marvellous practical tips.

Being a member has also given me the opportunity to visit some of Westminster’s gems which
offered me the chance to enjoy places not always available to the general public. I am thinking
in particular of a recent visit to the Royal Mews to see the Royal Carriages of Buckingham Palace
where we had a marvellous tour arranged through one of our members. Plus there is the bonus
of entitlement to free or reduced entry to several of Westminster’s star attractions which
includes Westminster Abbey, exhibitions at the National Gallery, the Cabinet War Rooms, the
London Transport Museum plus other lesser known places of interest.

I have also had the opportunity, by being a member, to lead a walk for Westminster’s Open
House arranged for just after I qualified on the course. This gave me the experience of dealing
with real “sight seeing” customers for the first time, giving my confidence a real boost. I don’t
think one ever forgets the first real guided walk that you take. Not only all this but also thrown in
is the public liability insurance we all get for just £25.00 per annum.

In short, the City of Westminster Guide Lecturers Association offers knowledge,
companionship, fresh(ish) air and the occasional moment of glory when your group laughs
exactly where you hoped they would. So whether you are thinking of joining or have done
so……welcome to a World where history is your script, Westminster your stage and YOU are very
much part of the show!

Paul Blom